North Park

Introduction
Our group picked the community of North Park. It is very unique for
having lots of small businesses that are usually family owned or are
independent. North Park is a very diverse community with lots of people from
lots of different backgrounds, ethnicities, and ages. We visited North Park and
a few of its residents and focused on finding out what life is like in one of San
Diegos oldest communities. This documentary shows the things we saw, the
people we talked to, and the stories weve heard.

History
North Park began when Joseph Nash sold 40 acres of land northeast of
Balboa Park to James Hartley in 1893. Hartley planned to turn the land into a
massive lemon grove. San Diego grew and developed into the area that Hartley
owned. He named the area Hartleys North Park. It was later named North Park.
In 1911 Hartleys oldest son, Jack Hartley developed it into San Diegos first
commercial residential districts. In 1905 Jack built North Parks First High
rise commercial building. Now it on the northwest corner of 30th st and
University ave. Today 30th and University became an important part of North
park. It is Important because it is the oldest intersection in North Park. In the
1910s North Park became one of a few neighborhoods with cars. This drew lots of
attention to it because cars were very new back then. Then until around 1939
when streetcars became more common North Park started to die down a little bit.

In 1942 a J.C Penney's was built in North Park. This was only one of two J.C
Penneys that was open during WWII. This was a big deal because it was the first
big company that in North Park and started a controversial topic about big
businesses in North Park. In the 1960s is when North Park began to have more
buildings and roads. This was because one of the first malls in San Diego was
build (Mission Valley Mall). This caused the need for more roads because of the
constant traffic caused by the mall(s). Then in the 70s some of the small homes
began to grow old and outdated, this is when apartments were first introduced
to North Park.

Changes Over Time

In 1939, San Diego became a hotspot for military production. Bomber and
Aeroplane factories opened up and increased the United States Air Force to
6,000 planes. The Imperial Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor triggered Americas
entrance into World War 2. San Diego became a staging ground for elements of
the Marines, Air Force, Navy, and Army to wage war in the Pacific. Morley
Fields, a famous sports complex in North Park, was occupied by elements of the
United States Marine Corps and United States Navy. Balboa Park and the
surrounding areas, including North Park, were utilized by the United States
Navy. The Navy set up hospital wards, training grounds, and multiple barracks.
Defense funding flowed into every community in San Diego, we were at war. After
the war, San Diego was turned back over to the civilian population. Government
funding came to repair and restore all the areas that the Military used up or
damaged in their stay. Residential areas were vastly improved after the war,

lots of new houses were constructed to fit the needs of returning veterans. Over
time, small family owned businesses started to disappear and were replaced by
chain restaurants and bars. This neighborhood grew in size, population, and
culture over time. In 1978, a Boeing 727 and a Cessna 172 crashed mid-air over
the residential areas in North Park. Many peoples homes were destroyed and
many lives were taken. Though, 30th and University did not get affected
directly by the destruction, everyone in the neighborhood felt the aftershock
and aftermath of the crash. The residents of North Park were all brought closer
together after this tragedy, and rebuilt their lives together. North Park, once
a busy neighborhood known for its family retail stores and homemade goods,
started to gain a different reputation. North Parks focus shifted from being a
residential area into a more modern night-light spot.

The Community Today

Today North Park , is a place where people can feel free to be themselves,
with a sense of unity around them. Theres many things that North Park has that
other communities would wish to have, for example John Santos who at his home
host, a community garden open to the public . There is also a North Park farmers
market that goes on every Thursday. The main part of North Pask is made up of
small business like, Crazee Burger,
Hammonds Gourmet Ice Cream, and more.
There are also different kinds of events the North Park puts on like The North
Park Festival of the Arts, The Taste of North Park, Concerts in The Summer and
many other things. Some of the people that live in North Park are actually more
on the elderly side. Since it is becoming more of a popular place. The people

that do live there are starting to get worried about the fact that theres
starting to be a lot of local bars. Which are starting to bring a different
effects to the location. There are many different reasons that people go to
North Park, a big one is the art. The art is a big thing North Park not only can
you see it on every corner. But there is over 20 Festivals, Galleries and
Exhibitions there each year.

Conclusion

North Park is one of San Diegos oldest communities. Its history reaches
far back into the early days of San Diegos development. North Park has seen a
lot of action over the years, and is directly affected by the people who live in
it. The people are what make this community. North Parks residents are all very
diverse people from all sorts of different backgrounds, ethnicities, and
heritages. The community of North Park is an ever growing branch of the tree
that they call San Diego